Dear Mr. Lochet, Just a brief note to thank you for your kind complements in the March issue of Empires, Eagles, and Lions. I hope my article on the last Continentals was what Tom DeVoe expected and not too far afield for your magazine. Enjoyed your survey of French light troops very much. You may be interested to know that Fisher wasn't the only leader of light troops who rose rapidly in rank during the Seven Years War. His counterpart in the Allied Army -- Nikolaus, Graf von Luckner -- also received regular promotions. Bavarian by birth, Luckner entered Hanoverian service in 1757 as a major. According to Reginald Savory, His Britannic Majesty's Army in Germany during the Seven Years War (Oxford at the Clarendon Press, 1966), p.61, n.2, he was given a step in rank each year of the war. After the war, Luckener entered the French Army as a lieutenant general became Marshal of France. From what I have read, the Seven Years War seems to have more than its share of light troops. The "Croats" and "Pandours" of Maria Theresa are well-known. Most of the German states allied with Great Britain--Prussia, Hanover, Hesse-Cassel and Brunswick, at least--had hussars and jagers in their service. As the war progressed, the belligerents seem to have increased the number of light troops in their armies. Hanover, for example, had less than 1000 light troops in 1757 and more than 4000 in 1762. Even the British Army of the period included light cavalry and light infantry units. In 1755, for instance, light troops were authorized for eleven cavalry regiments: Ist, 2nd and 3d Dragoon Guards; 1st, 2nd, 3d, 4th, 6th, 7th, IOth and lIth Dragoons. In addition, seven regiments of light dragoons (the 15th through the 21st) were raised during the war. At least three infantry regiments (the 85th, 90th and 119th Foot) were officially designated light infantry. There is reason to believe that Highlanders--of which there were at least seven regiments were also considered light infantry. There was an acute need for light infantry in the forests of North America.. To satisfy this need, the 62nd (later, 60th) Foot, a regiment which combined the discipline of regulars with the training of rangers, had been raised in 1755. A second light infantry regiment, the 80th Foot, was trained during the winter of 1757-58. In addition men were occasionally drafted from line regiments and given modified uniforms, lighter equipment and special training as light infantry. At least some line infantry adapted themselves to wilderness warfare by shortening their coats, cutting down their cocked hats into caps and lightening their equipment. Finally, there were various companies of provincial rangers, some of which accepted volunteers from line regiments for training. The success of light infantry in North America seems to have made a lasting impression on British and American officers alike. In 1771, light infantry companies were authorized for all British line regiments. Usually brigaded together in separate battalions, British light infantry took part in most of the campaigns and battles of the American Revolution. At times, British light infantrymen were joined by their German cousins, the jagers and chasseurs of Hesse-Cassel, Hesse-Hanau, Anspach-Bayreuth and Brunswick. Washington, whose previous military experience had come during the Seven Years War, never learned to use Cavalry effectively, but seems to have appreciated the value of light infantry. As early as 1776, light infantry units, such as Knowlton's Connecticut Rangers, were performing scouting and outpost duties usually reserved for light cavalry. In 1777, Morgan's Rifle Corps and Dearborn's Light Infantry Battalion contributed to Burgoyne's defeat at Saratoga. At the same time, a light infantry corps under the command of Brigadier General William ("Scotch Willie") Maxwell was serving with Washington Main Army. Maxwell's corps as present at Brandywine and Monmouth. At Washington's request, Congress authorized light infantry companies for all Continental regiments in 1778. Like their British counterparts, these companies were detached from their parent regiments at the beginning of each campaign and massed in provisional battalions. There were usually enough battalions to form larger units: regiments brigades and even a division. The Light infantry Corps distinguished itself at Stony Point in 1779 and Yorktown in 1781. In addition to the regular light infantry, who seems to have excelled in the use of the bayonet, numerous rifle and rangers units served during the Revolutionary War. I am sure that none of this information is entirely new to you. What I believe these "bits and pieces" show is that several countries, including Great Britain, made extensive use of light troops before the American Revolution--exactly the point you made, referring to France. Sorry this "brief" note got out of hand, but light infantry, free companies and legions have always interested me. Speaking of legions would you care to read an article on Lauzun's that I wrote for Military Notes? If so, I'll be glad to send you a copy. Thank you again for your welcoming remarks in Empires, Eagles and Lions. Looking forward to future issues. --Karl T. Martinsen Notes from Editor. Thank you for the above information I was aware of some of the above but not of everything. Your brief note did not get out of hand...On the contrary it is too short. We would like more ... Your article on Lauzun would be appreciated. We certainly can -et the O.K. from Don Graves to reprint it here. It is mandatory to bring out the truth about Light troops. It is about time that falsehoods on that matter (like any other subjects) are exposed. You certainly read my second part on Light troops in French Service Prior to the Revolution in which I fully acknowledge the fact that, apparently the Austrian were the ones who used swarms of skirmishers first (issue 24, page 24). I also acknowledge the fact that the Chasseurs de Fisher were raised more or less to protect the horses of the French cavalry that were regularly taken by the Austrian Pandours ref.issue # 23, page 14. There is room for many more articles on the subject of light infantry, light cavalry and light troops in general to complete the subject (I have my doubt that the matter will ever be definitely closed) There is need for a deeper study of the British, Austrian and other Nations light infantry, light cavalry and so-called legions, which by the way not a French exclusivity either. I have for the next issue an article on British light cavalry prior to the Napoleonic period. I need help gentlemen, any well documented article will be appreciated. There is plenty to do and I am sure that Mr. Martinsen is going to have a good opportunity to speak about the legions and other light troops. I can feel the enthusiasm from here. I hope we'll have many enthusiasts. Thank you very much in advance. -JL Back to Empire, Eagles, & Lions Table of Contents Vol. 1 No. 26 Back to EEL List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1978 by Jean Lochet This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com